Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Mary Ann Hurst / Freddie Bryant / Gilad: Wishing On A Star

Mary Ann Hurst / Freddie Bryant / Gilad: Wishing On A Star

By Michael P. Gladstone
December 7, 2005
Sign in to view read count

Although billed as a trio effort, this album is a showcase for singer Mary Ann Hurst. Her previous track record includes the rather dauntingly-titled Chinese Folksongs In A Jazz Mode from 2000. There's nothing quite as exotic here, simply a well-wrought session that begins with more than a touch of the cool female vocalists of the 1950s. Even the opening track, "Pete Kelly's Blues," is pure jazz nostalgia, taken from the soundtrack of the Jack Webb film.

Hurst's trio is not your usual piano/bass/drums unit but a combination of voice with acoustic guitar and percussion, giving this album a decidedly intimate patina. Mary Ann Hurst deivers many of the tunes in ballad tempo, raising the tempo on others to provide contrast to such titles as "Skylark," "When You Wish Upon A Star," and "You Must Believe in Spring." "Soon It's Gonna Rain," "A Taste of Honey," with a Latin pulse from Gilad, and a mid-tempo "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top" all work to provide a well-mixed set. A few of these songs, like Paul Simon's "Feelin' Groovy" and Bill Wither's "Ain't No Sunshine," seem to be in need of temporary retirement.

Let us respect the value of percussionist Gilad and especially guitarist/arranger Freddie Bryant on this album. Bryant is a wonder, either strumming on the up-tempo songs or providing sensitive playing and solo work on the majority. The tongue-in-groove fit of his playing and Hurst's smoky vocals place this album on a special shelf.

Visit Mary Ann Hurst @ AAJ.

Track Listing

Pete Kelly's Blues; Soon It's Gonna Rain; Skylark; A Taste of Honey; People Get Ready; You Must Believe In Spring; When You Wish Upon A Star; Ain't No Sunshine; The Surrey With The Fringe On Top; The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy); Pete Kelly's Blues.

Personnel

Mary Ann Hurst

vocals

Mary Ann Hurst: vocals; Freddie Bryant: guitar; Gilad: percussion.

Album information

Title: Wishing On A Star | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Love Bug

< Previous
Farther Afield: Jacob Fred Jazz Odyss...

Next >
The Duo Session

Comments

About Mary Ann Hurst

Instrument: Vocals

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.